Before you begin dreaming of owning your next home, you must consider the importance of obtaining the best mortgage. A mortgage is the groundwork of any good home purchase; find a great mortgage and you could be priming yourself for an excellent investment; lock into a not-so-great mortgage and you could be looking at years of headaches and financial problems.

There are a number of factors to consider when obtaining the best mortgage:

• Your credit – If you want to obtain the best mortgage, take a look at your credit first. A good credit rating is vital for obtaining the best mortgage, so it is important to first order a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies. Once you have the credit report in front of you, take the time to carefully review it and make any necessary corrections. If you find any discrepancies or errors on the credit report, immediately report it to the appropriate credit reporting agency. Fixing your credit problems before you head to a lender is the easiest way to ensure you are on the right path to obtaining the best mortgage.
• A large down payment